Location
Countess of Chester Hospital / Ellesmere Port Hospital
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata
Profession
Healthcare support worker
Grade
Band 3
Deadline
24 Aug 2026
Contract Type
Fixed term: 6 months (maternity cover)
Posted Date
18 Aug 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

Are you looking to join Team Countess as a Health Care Support worker?

We have permanent and training posts available:

I have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care from an accredited establishment, or I have the equivalent experience in the health care role? - To ensure your NVQ is recognised please check this link -Find a regulated qualification - GOV.UK

We can recruit you to our Band 3 workforce if you have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or hold the equivalent experience required, subject to a successful interview and pre-employment checks you can join our band 3 workforce. The equivalent experience will be 2-year NHS substantive employment, or a member of our Countess of Chester Bank Team within a health care assistant role, or 3 years’ experience in another health care setting, caring for equivalent patients.

Do not have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, or have none / not enough equivalent experience in the health care role?

If this is you, upon starting your role, you will enter a six‑month training post. During this period, your wage will be aligned to the National Living Wage. You will be expected to complete and be signed off on the required clinical skills, the Care Certificate, and our practical assessment documentation. Once all elements are successfully achieved, your pay will progress to Band 3.

Main duties of the job

We will support you in completing your NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care in partnership with Cheshire College. This 24‑month programme will be delivered on site, and you will begin the course at the earliest available opportunity.

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who want to help Team Countess provide Safe, Kind and effective care to join us.

The right candidate will be provided with a 7-day Healthcare Assistant Induction, introducing you to the Trust and ensuring that you settle into your new role.

Successful candidates will be provided with resources and guidance to ensure completion of the national mandatory Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.

Please see attached the Job Description for full list of duties & responsibilities for this role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification

Skills And Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a clinical environment and undertaking a range of relevant clinical skills with proven competencies.
  • Experience working in the NHS.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a health care support worker.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Level’s, NVQ3) in Health & Social Care OR equivalent knowledge and experience.
  • Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
  • In-depth understanding of the healthcare support worker role.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Healthcare Support Worker with Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Countess of Chester Hospital / Ellesmere Port Hospital. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata. The contract type is Fixed term: 6 months (maternity cover). The application deadline is 24 Aug 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (18 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.